Field Day on Perennial Grasses for Bio-Energy Production
Rural Advantage and University of Minnesota Extension with Prairie Horizons Farm, the Land Stewardship Project, and the USDA-ARS Soils Lab are to host an afternoon of discussion on using perennial grasses for bio-energy production. The field day will be Thursday, August 18, 2011, from 1:45 pm to 3:15 pm at Prairie Horizons Farm (29731 302nd St. – Starbuck, MN) near Starbuck, Minnesota.
Prairie Horizons Farm, USDA-ARS, and University of Minnesota – Morris are working on a research project comparing harvest and fertilizer effects on perennial plant diversity and production. Research at the farm also addresses the nitrogen availability under different perennial management systems in order to understand and develop systems for optimal biomass production. Attendees will be able to hear about this exciting work being done in collaboration with Prairie Horizons Farm by the University of Minnesota – Morris and the USDA –ARS Soils Lab. A tour of the grasslands and pasture at the farm will also be available. Rural Advantage will present information on the work they are doing with perennial third crops and third generation biofuels. Attendees will also learn about the Land Stewardship’s Chippewa 10% Project. This is an outdoor event, please dress accordingly.
The Land Stewardship Project will be offering buses to take people to Prairie Horizons Farm following the 9th Annual Field Day held at USDA-ARS North Central Soil Conservation Research lab (803 Iowa Avenue – Morris, MN). If interested in attending that field day, this year’s theme is “Sustainable Landscapes: Food, Feed, Fuel, and the Future.” The event is from 9am-1pm with a complimentary lunch. Buses to Prairie Horizons Farm will leave the Soils Lab at 1pm and return around 4pm. For more information on the USDA-ARS Field Day, call 320-589-3411 or visit www.ars.usda.gov/mwa/ncscrl .
DIRECTIONS:
From Starbuck: Head south on MN-29 for roughly 10.0 miles. Turn left (east) onto 302nd St. / T-21 (gravel) for roughly 1.2 miles. Prairie Horizons Farm will be on the right (south) side of the road.
From Benson: Head north on MN-29 for roughly 11.0 miles. Turn right (east) onto 302nd St. / T-21 for roughly 1.2 miles. Prairie Horizons Farm will be on the right (south) side of the road.
Contacts for this event: Sharon Weyers, USDA-ARS, 320-589-3411, Sharon.Weyers@ars.usda.gov and Jill Sackett, UMN Extension / Rural Advantage, 507-238-5449, sacke032@umn.edu